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Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision-Specific Functioning
Eva K Fenwick1, Ryan E K Man2, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung3
1Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore2Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia3Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
JAMA Ophthalmology
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Ethnicity impacts age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and vision-specific functioning (VSF). Chinese individuals experienced VSF decline with AMD, unlike Indian and Malay participants, highlighting ethnic differences in disease impact.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Understanding the link between ethnicity and health is critical for public policy.
- Population-level data on ethnicity's influence on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and vision-specific functioning (VSF) are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the influence of ethnicity on VSF among Chinese, Malay, and Indian patients with AMD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, population-based study included 9962 adults from Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnic groups.
- Fundus photographs assessed AMD, and the Visual Function Index (VF-11) measured VSF.
- Multiple linear regression models analyzed the association between AMD and VSF, adjusting for various health and demographic factors.
Main Results:
- Early AMD was associated with a small VSF reduction in Chinese participants but not in Indian or Malay participants.
- Late AMD significantly reduced VSF in Chinese (19.1%) and Malay (13.5%) individuals, but not in Indians.
- Ethnic differences were observed in the impact of AMD on VSF.
Conclusions:
- AMD negatively affects VSF in Chinese individuals, but not in Indian and Malay participants.
- This suggests an independent ethnic influence on the association between AMD and VSF in multiethnic Asian populations.
- Ethnicity-based strategies are warranted to manage AMD and its impact on vision.